Former Edmonds officer denies sex allegations

EVERETT — A former Edmonds police officer often was tearful on the witness stand Monday as he denied allegations that he had sex with a woman while he was on duty.

Daniel Lavely admitted that he lied to investigators about some of the events on May 7, 2012, but fervently denied that he engaged in sex with a woman whom he initially stopped for jaywalking. He later was asked to remove the woman from a motel room after the occupants said she no longer welcome. The woman was high on methamphetamine and homeless.

Lavely told jurors he offered to drive the woman away from the motel. He said he dropped her off behind a clothing store after she propositioned him for sex. He admitted that the woman committed a crime by soliciting him, but said he chose not to arrest her because he just wanted her out of his car.

Prosecutors allege that Lavely targeted a vulnerable woman and then lied to cover up his criminal behavior.

Lavely testified that he simply forgot to radio dispatchers when he picked up the woman from the motel. He said he was worried his mistake would cost him a possible promotion so he lied about when he picked up and dropped off the woman. Video footage shows the woman inside a convenience store at the time Lavely told dispatchers he dropped her off at a bus stop.

Lavely, who resigned in January, is charged with custodial sexual misconduct. It is against the law for a police officer to have sex with somebody they are detaining, even if the contact is consensual.